Safety container for inflammable fluids

ABSTRACT

A completely enclosed plastic container having a neck-like opening closed by a spring biased cap. The cap is controlled by a handle linkage attached to a vertical fin formed on the can by an enlargement of the flash line between the two plastic mold parts which are joined together to mold the container, the neck-like opening, the vertical fin and a handle. The fin extends between and is integral with the neck-like opening and the handle. Thus, the fin reinforces the handle and adds strength thereto.

11] 3,811,605 May 21,1974

United States Patent [191 Flider 2,335,195 11/1943 Packer...... 222/469 3,400,846 9/1968 Kelly......... 222/575 X Morbeck.............................

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 SAFETY CONTAINER FOR INFLAMMABLE FLUIDS [75] Inventor:

Frank S. Flider, Chicago, 111. Assignee: The Justrite Manufacturing 1,077,403 3/1960 Germany 222/474 Company, Chicago, 111.

May 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 147,522

[22] Filed:

Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alter Weiss Whitesel & Laff Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 98,557, Dec. 16, 1970, abandoned. 1

[57] ABSTRACT A completely enclosed plastic container having a neck-like opening closed by a spring biased cap. The cap is controlled by a handle linkage attached to a vertical fin formed on the can by an enlargement of the flash line between the two plastic mold parts which are joined together to mold the container, the neck-like opening, the vertical fin and a handle. The fin extends between andis integral with the neck-like opening and the handle. Thus, the fin reinforces the handle and adds strength thereto.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures dul l .1 eme WKW 68 ll 99 ll 8O 1 [51] Int.

[58] 1 Field of Search [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS PATENTEMAY 2 1 19m FIGLI INVENTOR FRANK S. FLIDER wwm ATTORNEYS PATENYEU MAY 2 I 1974 SREHZWZ INVENTOR FRANK S, FLIDER ATTO R N EYS SAFETY CONTAINER FOR INFLAMMABLE FLUIDS This invention relates to new and improved plastic safety cams or containers and especially, but not exclusively, to containers for flammable fluid. This application is a Continuation-ln-Part of my prior application filed Dec. 16, 1970, bearing Ser. No. 98,557 now abandoned and entitled SPRAY CONTAINER FOR IN- FLAMMABLES WITH CLIP-ON SPOUT.

Containers for inflammables are not only known in the art, but also have very carefully prescribed safety regulations, which are often enforced by governmental and industrial agencies. Any improved container must, of course, meet or exceed these and other existing safety regulations. Also, improved containers must have sales appeal for the buying public which goes beyond the sales appeal of previously available safety cans. Previously, cans have generally been made of heavy gauge steel material, such as 24 gauge Terne plate. Reinforcing ribs have been formed to add strength to the walls of the container. Seams have been bowed and crimped to provide four or five thicknesses of metal locked together by double seaming. Preferably, the container has been dipped in a hot lead or tin bath solution to provide a corrosion protection. Then, fine quality enamel was baked on over the coating. The metal cans were thus relatively costly to fabricate. Nonetheless, the metal cans have proven to be relatively hazardous and short lived. The metal cans tend to corrode and create hazardous sparks responsive to accidental bumping contact with other ferrous materials. The accidental bumping contact tends to scratch and remove the protective plating and thus expose surfaces to corrosion, while the sparking presents explosion probabilities. Moreover, the metal safety cans are frequently bumped when they are being transported as well as when they are used. The bumping disturbs the can or removes the finish.

All these disadvantages are overcome by use of a non-conductive, non-metallic assembly, such as described in our previously copending patent application, of which this is a Continuation-ln-Part. In that previously filed application, the handle was part of the linkage used for opening the spring biased cap which normally closes the neck of the container.

The linkage and handle arrangement of this application provided ,definite improvements over the linkage and handle arrangement of the noted previously filed application. For example, since the handle of the previously filed application was an integral part of the linkage, there was a tendancy to inadvertently open the container while carrying the container by the handle. Further. the attachment of the handle linkage arrangement to the fin-like expanded flash point in the previously filed patent application stressed the fin directly when carrying the container and when operating the linkage. Still further, the operation of the handle in the previously filed patent application, while holding a filled container presented some manipulative problems.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide new and improved plastic safety containers. A more definite object of this invention is to provide plastic safety containers having handles molded integral to the container itself.

Another and related object of this invention is to provide operative linkage for the spring biased closing cap 2. of the container that can be operated using only one hand.

In keeping with an aspect of this invention, these and other objects and features are accomplished by providing a plastic safety container having the neck-like opening, a dorsal fin and handle integrally molded with the plastic safety can. The provision of an integral handle precludes the necessity of separately attaching a handle to the container. The neck-like opening is positioned opposite the handle on a diameter like line passing through the top center point of the container. The finlike thickened flash point extends between the necklike opening and the handle and acts to reinforce and strengthen the necklike opening and the handle. Incidentally, the fin is also strengthened by its position between the handle and the neck-like opening.

A spring biased cap normally in a closed position covers the neck-like opening. An operating hook extending through the handle is used in cooperation with the handle to open the spring biased cap when it is desired to either fill the container or to empty the container. Since the hook is pulled towards the end of the handle to open the cap, it is possible and feasible to readily hold the spring biased cap against the spring bias in the open position.

The nature of a preferred embodiment of the invention for accomplishing these and other objects and features of the invention may be bestunderstood from a study of the following description in the attached drawings, in which: I I

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view (partly in cross section) of my prior plastic safety can using a plastic fin for supporting a handle linkage; the present application being a Continuation-In-Part of the application on this prior can;

FIG. 2 isa side elevational view of the top of the improved can (partly in cross section);

FIG. 3 is a top view of the can of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the top of the can looking in the direction of the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the top of the plastic container shown in FIG. 3; and 7 FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of FIG. 5 showing the hardware of the linkage and cap attached to the fin.

The principle elements of FIG. 1 are an all plastic can 20, a filter screen arrangement 21, and a handle and linkage cap control arrangement 22. The handle and linkage act to automatically open a normally closed cap when thecan is tipped and closes the cap when the can is at rest.

The can 20 is all plastic and formed by any suitable means, such as blow molding inside a mold cavity. The mold (not shown) includes two piece parts which come together in a good fit. The molds shape the container and the nozzle. In addition, the flash or parting line where the mold parts are joined is shaped to form an upstanding fin or rib 24, which is integral with and supports the neck 29. A series of holes are molded into the fin 24 in order to provide a means for attaching the handle linkage 22 to the container without piercing the walls thereof or in any way presenting any problems of leakage.

The neck 29 is shaped somewhat as the neck of a bottle to enable fluid to be poured into or out of the container 20. The neck-like opening 29 is covered by the normally closed safety can cap 23 which is opened for filling or for pouring.

The safety cap 23 is controlled by the handle linkage 22 and is mounted on saddle brackets 32, 33 attached to the rib 24 by means, such as rivets 35-38. The cap 23 is spring loaded to a closed position by spring 39, which wraps around a pin 40 in bracket 32 and bears down on the top of cap 23 with a predetermined pressure. The spring biased cap vents the vapor pressure inside the can when it exceeds a predetermined pressure; for example psi.

The handle and linkage arrangement 22 are mounted on the saddle bracket 33 attached to the top of fin 24 at approximately the center of gravity of the container. Pivotally mounted on bracket 33 at poing 41 is a handle 42 having a spring 43a, 43b normally urging the handle 42 to swing in the direction A toward a low profile position when the container is not in use.

A horizontal linkage comprises a bar 44 having a longitudinal slot 45 therein. When the handle 42 is raised, there is a lost motion as pin 46 moves through the length of the slot 45 before any linkage action occurs. This amount of movement allows the user to secure a comfortable grip on the can before lifting the weighted can and allows the user to lift the can by the handle without opening cap 23.

Attached to the cap 23 and forming a part thereof is a pin assembly 50 which is coupled to an L-shaped cover bracket assembly 51, that is in turn pivotally connected to the saddle mounting 32 by pin 40. The angle point of the L-shaped bracket is connected to bar 44 by means of pin 52. When the handle 42 moves in direction B, pin 46 encounters the end of slot 45 and pulls bracket 51 with a sufficient force to open the cap 23 against the force of spring 39.

Thus, when the handle 42 is lifted, it moves to an upright position without producing any effect on cap 23. When the bottom of the can 20 is thereafter tilted to a pouring position, pin 46 pulls back on the end ofa slot 45 to pull against pin 52 and move bracket 51 about the pivot poing 40. The pin assembly 50 is lifted by the end of the bracket 51 to force the cap 23 open. When the can is set down, the reverse action takes place, and the cap 23 closes as the handle 42 moves forward to its low profile position.

The operation of the handle linkage requires two hands. Further. when the can is only partially full, the weight of the can may not be sufficient to produce the desired opening action of the handle linkage. Also, the attachment of saddle bracket 33 to the fin used both in carrying and operating cap 23 tends to weaken the attachment and cause the container to fall when fully loaded. The improved container overcomes these difficulties and provides for a positive one handed opening action.

Wherever possible, numerical designations of FIGS. 2-6 which illustrate the new container will be the same as those of FIG. I. Thus, for example, the container still is designated as 20, and the neck-like opening is still designated as 29. The fin 24 is shown located between the neck-like opening and the integrally molded handle 61. It should be noted that where previously handles, such as handle 6I, had to be bolted or welded to the top of the can; now, with plastic container. it is integrally molded thereto during the molding operation which preferably is blow molding.

A reinforcing annular ring 30 is provided at the necklike opening or nozzle 29. The interior 29 of the opening 22 is shaped to receive a filter screen (not shown) on FIG. 2. The rib or fin 24 is shown having apertures, such as holes 25 and 26, for receiving rivets or other fasteners used for attaching the saddle bracket to the rib.

The handle at the junction 62 to the container is filleted for added strength. Similarly, the junction of the rib 24 to both the handle and the neck-like opening is also filleted. As best seen in FIG. 3, the handle is sufficiently wide to be strong enough to carry the container and to use and operate the cap even when the container is filled with the fluid. There is no necessity of separately attaching the handle, and no hardware is attached to the top or dome of the container. Thus, leakage problems at the point of attachment are eliminated.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the blow molding nozzle rib and handle arrangement utilized in conjunction with a rounded can having a dome like top rather than the flat top shown in FIGS. 2-4. In the case of the domed can, there is an added rib integrally positioned between the outer portion of the handle and the container itself. This added rib is designated as 66 in FIGS. 5 and 6. Similarly, at the neck portion, there is an added rib 67 utilized in strengthening the neck-like portion as it rises from the dome. The rib 66 on the dome shaped can has a further advantage of strengthening the container itself.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the linkage hardware necessary to operate the stopper or cap 23 is attached to fin 24 utilizing a saddle bracket 68. The saddle bracket is attached to the fin utilizing fastening means, such as rivets 69 and 71, which pass through holes 25 and 26, respectively in the fin. An L-shaped bracket 72 is pivotally attached to upstanding oppositely disposed ears of bracket 68 utilizing means, such as pin 73. A spring 39 wrapped around pin 73 exerts a force on the horizontal portion of L-shaped bracket 72 to maintain cover 23 in a normally closed position abutted against the top of neck or nozzle 29.

A hook operating lever 74 passes through slot 75 in handle 61 and pivotally connects to an operating bracket 76 on L-shaped bracket 72 utilizing pin 77. The bracket 76 is affixed to L-shaped bracket 72 in any well known manner, such as by pinning, for example.

In operation, the operator holds the vertical outward portion 78 of handle 6] in the palm of his hands and wraps his fingers around the hook-like portion 74a of hook-like operating lever 74 to pull the lever toward vertical portion outward 78 of handle 61. This exerts a force tending to move the L-shaped bracket 72 in the direction B against the force of the spring 39. As the L- shaped bracket 72 is moved around pivot poing 53 in the direction B, cover 23 is removed from its normal position abutting the opening of neck shaped opening 29.

When the hook lever 74 is released, the spring 39 forces the cover 23 into its normally abutting position at neck shaped opening 29. Thus, a novel and unique safety can is provided requiring a minimal of connections to apply the necessary hardware thereto.

While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with specific apparatus and applications, it is to be understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A plastic safety container,

said container formed in one piece and having a completely and continuously closed and unbroken inner surface on the side walls thereof with said surface being free of all attachments thereto,

said inner surface terminating at a neck-like opening forming a communicating passageway through a top portion of the wall of said container for receiving fluids into said container and for emptying said container after it has received the fluids therein,

said neck-like opening being the only opening in said inner surface,

handle means integrally molded onto said top portion and spaced apart from said opening at said top portion,

the said top portion having on the outside surface thereof a thickened solid fin, there being no connection between said fin and the interior of said container,

said fin projecting outwardly from said outside surface of said container to give added strength to the container in a plane perpendicular to the surface of said container,

said upstanding plastic fin extending between and reinforcing and supporting said handle and said necklike opening,

closure control means positioned to be operated with one hand in conjunction with said handle for opening said cap means when it is desired to pour fluids from said container,

means for attaching said closure control means solely to said upstanding fin means, said handle means, said neck-like opening whereby said closure control means is isolated from the inside of said container, and

said cap means being spring biased in a normally closed position.

2. The plastic safety container of claim 1, wherein said closure control means comprises a hook-like operating lever,

said'hook-like operating lever extending into said handle to enable tension to be applied to said hooklike operating lever with the same hand that is holding said handle.

3. The plastic safety container of claim 2, wherein said handle comprises at least an inner portion and an outer portion, and wherein said inner portion of said handle includes a slot therein through which said hooklike operating lever passes so that said hook-like lever extends from between said inner portion and said outer portion toward said cap means.

4. The plastic safety container of claim 3, wherein said means for attaching said closure control means to said fin comprises saddle bracket means attached to said fin.

5. The plastic safety container of claim 4, wherein said closure control means comprises an L-shaped bracket,

pivot point means for pivotally attaching the L- shaped bracket to said saddle bracket means,

pin means for attaching said cap means to one end of said L-shaped bracket,

spring means extending from said pivot point means for maintaining said cap means in the closed position,

operating bracket means extending upward from said L-shaped bracket means to pivotally attach said hook-shaped operating lever thereto to thereby enable the opening of said cap responsive to said L- shaped lever being pulled towards said outer handle portion. 

1. A plastic safety container, said container formed in one piece and having a completely and continuously closed and unbroken inner surface on the side walls thereof with said surface being free of all attachments thereto, said inner surface terminating at a neck-like opening forming a communicating passageway through a top portion of the wall of said container for receiving fluids into said container and for emptying said container after it has received the fluids therein, said neck-like opening being the only opening in said inner surface, handle means integrally molded onto said top portion and spaced apart from said opening at said top portion, the said top portion having on the outside surface thereof a thickened solid fin, there being no connection between said fin and the interior of said container, said fin projecting outwardly from said outside surface of said container to give added strength to the container in a plane perpendicular to the surface of said container, said upstanding plastic fin extending between and reinforcing and supporting said handle and said neck-like Opening, closure control means positioned to be operated with one hand in conjunction with said handle for opening said cap means when it is desired to pour fluids from said container, means for attaching said closure control means solely to said upstanding fin means, said handle means, said neck-like opening whereby said closure control means is isolated from the inside of said container, and said cap means being spring biased in a normally closed position.
 2. The plastic safety container of claim 1, wherein said closure control means comprises a hook-like operating lever, said hook-like operating lever extending into said handle to enable tension to be applied to said hook-like operating lever with the same hand that is holding said handle.
 3. The plastic safety container of claim 2, wherein said handle comprises at least an inner portion and an outer portion, and wherein said inner portion of said handle includes a slot therein through which said hook-like operating lever passes so that said hook-like lever extends from between said inner portion and said outer portion toward said cap means.
 4. The plastic safety container of claim 3, wherein said means for attaching said closure control means to said fin comprises saddle bracket means attached to said fin.
 5. The plastic safety container of claim 4, wherein said closure control means comprises an L-shaped bracket, pivot point means for pivotally attaching the L-shaped bracket to said saddle bracket means, pin means for attaching said cap means to one end of said L-shaped bracket, spring means extending from said pivot point means for maintaining said cap means in the closed position, operating bracket means extending upward from said L-shaped bracket means to pivotally attach said hook-shaped operating lever thereto to thereby enable the opening of said cap responsive to said L-shaped lever being pulled towards said outer handle portion. 